A warm Rowan welcome awaits the Class of 2019

Are you ready for RU, Rowan students?

With classes set to start on Tuesday, Sept. 1, Rowan University students and faculty are revving up for the 2015-’16 academic year.

Freshman Move-In

The first order of business for undergraduate residential students is moving in.

Freshman Move-In is set for Saturday, August 29, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. across campus. Altogether, 2,000 freshmen will settle into campus with assistance from a veritable army of hardworking student volunteers and University staffers.

The largest contingent of members of the Class of 2019 will move into Chestnut, Magnolia, Willow, Mimosa, Evergreen, Mullica, and Oak and Laurel halls, according to Jim Waddington, director of housing systems and logistics for the Office of Residential Learning & University Housing.

For information regarding move-in, visit http://www.rowan.edu/studentaffairs/reslife/

Welcome home

Freshman move-in marks the traditional start of the University’s annual Welcome Weekend, a bevy of events designed to get more than 2,600 first-year students acclimated to the University, its services and its traditions.

A highlight of Welcome Weekend is the President’s Welcome and Picnic on Sunday, August 30, from 5-6:30 p.m. on the University Green. Vice President for Student Life/Dean of Students Richard Jones and Student Government Association President Anthony Wohlrab will join with members of the Philadelphia Mummers Aqua String Band for a parade of sorts through campus and through the green’s new welcome arch.

After a welcome from President Ali A. Houshmand, the 2015 Distinguished Young Alumnus Award will be presented to Jonathan Barnes, who graduated from the College of Performing Arts in 2006. Barnes is a member of the United States Navy’s premiere big band—The Commodores—and has performed for President Barack Obama.

During the ceremony, Rowan’s Torch of Knowledge will be passed by Wohlrab to mathematics major Nabil Jamhour of Clifton, representing the freshman class. Rowan’s symbol of knowledge and leadership, the torch signifies the passing on of University traditions.

After the ceremony, freshmen will enjoy a barbecue of Jersey fresh foods.

Among other activities, Welcome Weekend includes the following:

Saturday, August 29: Residential hall community meetings, motivational speaker Carlos Ojeda, Jr. and the semester’s first midnight buffet, a breakfast spread;

Sunday, August 30: (in addition to the President’s Welcome and Picnic): Prof Family Feud, meetings for residential and commuter students, book discussions surrounding Garbology: Our Dirty Love Affair With Trash, this year’s RU Reading Together common reading program book, and late night at the Rec Center.

Monday, August 31: Academic programs day, a food truck festival featuring a live performance by SMALLPOOLS, and a Prof Pride Rally.

Start Up Smart

As the semester starts, additional programming continues with Start Up Smart, a series of events during the first three weeks of school designed to help new students make positive transitions to Rowan.

Start Up Smart offers students a host of resources—and a gaggle of engaging events—that help them achieve academic success, make safe choices, think healthy, embrace the Rowan spirit, participate in campus activities, and understand and appreciate others.

For information on Welcome Weekend or Start Up Smart, visit http://www.rowan.edu/studentaffairs/main_office/welcome/#welcome.

Upperclassman Move-In

Rowan’s returning undergraduate residential students are slated to move in on Sunday, August 30, and Monday, August 31.